7 Exciting Changes Coming to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are where dreams come true. Growing up going to Disney was one of the most exciting things my brother and I looked forward to every year. Our parents, like many would take us to the happiest place on Earth for family vacation. I have always been fascinated with Disney and getting to hear about the new changes coming only made me more excited for what is to come.

Photo Credit: Disney/Image Group LA

At D23Expo, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced an extraordinary line-up of brand new attractions and experiences coming to its parks and resorts around the world as it continues to revolutionize the guest experience, starting from before guests even arrive for a Disney vacation to the many memories that last a lifetime. Chairman Bob Chapek gave us a sneak peek at much-anticipated projects in development.

“On the heels of the many new and incredibly popular experiences that just debuted this year, the best is yet to come. We have ambitious plans for our parks and resorts around the world,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We’re investing in the guest experience like never before, and we’re doing it all in way that is only possible at Disney!”

From new lodging and transportation options (a real life Minnie van 😉 ) that make getting around more fun, to original storytelling and immersive experiences based on guests’ favorites, Disney continues to provide unparalleled vacation destinations for guests across the globe in even more exciting ways than ever before.

Star Wars fans yet again went crazy. This is a pretty incredible announcement that many, including myself have been waiting to hear. Fans were elated to hear their Star Wars stories will come to life in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newly announced name for the Star Wars-themed lands. Chapek shared exciting new details and a glimpse inside the two anchor attractions, including one that puts guests right in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance where guests will feel like they are inside a hangar bay on a Star Destroyer.

(Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks)

For those of you who have always dreamed of being in Star Wars, you’re about to get as close as possible. You will have the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon, where each guest is critical to the mission’s success. This is going to be huge world spreading across 14 acres each, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in 2019, with the first land debuting at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, then at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando. So exciting!

Epcot Transformation

Looking ahead to the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, there are grand plans to complete the transformation that started with the debut of New Fantasyland in 2014. Chapek announced exciting plans across Epcot to realize the original vision of the park while making it more timeless and relevant than ever before. Patterned after the number one family attraction at Disneyland Paris, Ratatouille will be added in an all-new space in the France pavilion at World Showcase.

SPACE will be a new restaurant that will invite guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience.

Epcot will also see the addition of a brand new E-ticket attraction based on the rockin’ and action-packed world of Guardians of the Galaxy, the next step in how guests can encounter these characters at Walt Disney World Resort. In Future World, a new Green Mission atMission: SPACE will take guests on a stunning tour around the Earth, and an updated Orange Mission will make the trip to Mars even more spectacular.

Adjacent to Mission: Space will be a new restaurant that will invite guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience.

Thrills Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom

I am a life long Mickey Mouse fan so this news was pretty exciting for me personally. I’m sure all Disney fans can relate. I don’t know what took so long, but Mickey is finally getting his own ride! The first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

With a new original story and lovable attraction theme song, this new state-of-the-art ride-through attraction will take guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts using new technologies that transform the flat cartoon world into an incredible dimensional experience.

Photo Credit: Disney/Image Group LA

Chapek also announced that the highest rated attraction at Shanghai Disneyland is coming to Walt Disney World Resort. A thrilling, Tron-themed attraction will be added in a new area near Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom.

Additionally, a new live entertainment theater coming to Main Street, U.S.A., based on the iconic Willis Theater in 1920s Kansas City, will bring world-class entertainment to the world’s most popular park.

New Pixar Additions

In addition to announcing the summer 2018 opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Chapek was joined by Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter to unveil plans for Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure.

Photo Credit: Disney/Image Group LA

The pier will take on a brand new look as more favorite Pixar characters and stories come to life, from The Incredibles, to Inside Out to even more Toy Story. Chapek also announced there is more Pixar in store during Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort. Starting in 2018, this limited-time offering will include a new fireworks spectacular as well as special characters and entertainment moments.

Disney Cruise Line Will Double by 2023

Photo Credit: Disney/Image Group LA

This is so exciting! A bucket list item for me is a Disney cruise and it looks like I’ll have even more of an opportunity as Chapek surprised the crowd by announcing that Disney Cruise Line will add one more ship in its expansion to take family cruise vacations to a whole new level. When all three ships are completed by 2023, Disney Cruise Line will have nearly doubled in size. This is just incredible, even more opportunities for Disney fans to experience the magic.

New Themed Hotels in the Works

Chapek confirmed ambitious plans to create the most experiential concept ever in an immersive Star Wars-themed hotel at Walt Disney World Resort. Dedicated entirely to the galaxy of Star Wars, it will be a one-of-a-kind experience where a luxury resort meets a multi-day adventure in a galaxy far, far away. You will literally be experiencing Star Wars life like never before.

Adding to the immersive resort hotel slate, Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel at Disneyland Paris will transport guests to the action-packed world of Super Heroes, including Iron Man, The Avengers, Spider-Man and more. Guests will be able to explore the Marvel Universe through its comic art, films, Super Hero costumes and more, displayed in the style of a contemporary art gallery.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK UNVEILS MARVEL-THEMED HOTEL COMING TO DISNEYLAND PARIS — DisneyÕs Hotel New York Ð The Art of Marvel at Disneyland Paris will transport guests to the action-packed world of Super Heroes, including Iron Man, The Avengers, Spider-Man and more.

Leading up to the July 17 opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, Chapek also announced the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney Riviera Resort, coming to Walt Disney World Resort near Epcot.

Transportation Getting Stylish

Completing the immersion so guests never have to leave the story while on a Disney vacation, Chapek announced plans that will make getting around Walt Disney World Resort even more fun.

Oh. my. goodness. This is amazing!! An all-new Minnie Van service will provide a point-to-point transportation service in a way that only Disney can do, giving guests an even more seamless resort vacation from start to finish. I don’t know who thought of this, but I just think it is the cutest idea ever!

Additionally, a whole new transportation system called Disney Skyliner will give guests a birds-eye view of Walt Disney World Resort. This brand new system will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts, as well as the proposed new Disney Riviera Resort, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.

There are so many exciting things coming to Disney resorts and parks. I can’t wait for the chance to see these things in person. I have to say Disneyland was so wonderful as is, I can’t even begin to imagine how amazing it will be in the years to come. 🙂

Make sure to check out all of my #D23Expo posts for the scoop on all things Disney and more!

Disclosure: I was invited by Disney to attend D23 Expo. All opinions shared are 100% my own.